Residents in La Canada Flintridge are preparing for an expected winter storm that might bring downpours. They're putting up boards, plastic sheeting and anything else they think will keep rain and mud from compromising their homes.

A couple of years ago, a massive mudslide wiped out several homes right on Oceanview Boulevard in La Canada Flintridge. Residents weren't taking any chances on Wednesday. Sandbags were prepared and k-rails were set just in case the rains bring damaging floods and mud.

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"There's a little bit of insecurity 'cause you never know what is going to happen," said resident Susie Dickens. "But there's nothing you can do."

More than 40 basins designed to capture excess rain runoff were being evaluated Wednesday. Public works crews say they want to make sure the basins are clear. Once the rains hit, crews expect to work around the clock. Forecasters expected one to two inches of rain starting Friday.

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"This is pretty early for the rainy season to start in earnest," said JPL Climatologist Bill Patzert. "We've had a La Nina forecast, which is for a drier and cooler winter."

Fire crews will also be on standby.

"We are going to be looking to staff our swift water teams," said Pete Ramirez of the L.A. County Fire Dept. "Maybe we'll man extra helicopters, ground swift water units and maybe some strike teams."